THE SAN FRANCISCO YOUTH CIRCUS
SFYC is Circus Center’s youth performance company. Its members are ambassadors for Circus Center's commitment to excellence. This class series gives youth students who have honed their technical skills a chance to dig deeper and learn more about performance! SFYC offers guest choreographers each year, along with classes in physical theater, clowning, dance, acrobatic partnering, and more!
SFYC auditions are open to any student currently on levels 3 – 6. We recommend having strong skills in air and ground disciplines. Notify your coach of your interest to prepare!
Once accepted, students choose which SFYC session they'd like: Spring, Fall, or both. Performances include the Spring Youth Showcase, Winter Showcase, and outside events throughout the year. Rehearsals are mandatory. See below for dates.
Are you Level 3 and up?
AUDITION DATES: January 17th, 11am – 1pm
- Performances include the Spring Youth Showcase, and outside events throughout the year.
SFYC runs adjacent to the usual training programs, students must continue their technique classes.
SFYC requires excellent time management. SFYC students will be asked to sign a code of conduct and commitment.
CONTACT
Interested in joining the San Francisco Youth Circus?
Interested in having the San Francisco Youth Circus perform at your event?
Contact us at youth@circuscenter.org
FAQ
1. How Does CC Youth Programming work?
CC youth programming currently has 3 tracks. Recreational, Artist, and Training Track. Recreational track is for fun, exploration, and coordination. Rec track runs levels 1-3. Artist track is performance focused and runs levels 1-5. Training Track has a pre-professional focus which includes performance but with additional high level technical training and runs levels 1-6.
Most students will transition across to Artist or Training track, as their early circus years will be spent exploring. Students can jump tracks and levels, which may mean they need to take a level down or up.
E.G.: Student A is Level 4 aerial and at 13 years old wants to join Training Track, if they haven’t been taking tumbling, their Core Acrobatics class may be at a lower level.
2. What Classes Should My Child Take?
As many or as little as you like! We want to make it easy for our students to take what they enjoy. All classes start at an intro level. By Level 2 a student can pick a specialty. We are working to add more in the Spring. See the PDF list of specialties. The more classes, the more your child will see growth! We highly recommend at minimum concurrent air and ground classes. Example: L2 Trapeze along with L2 Core Acrobatics.
3. What is the minimum # of students required for CC to offer a class (ie to cover costs)?
Three!
4. Can I drop in a class or do I have to session enroll for Youth classes?
All youth classes are session enrollment only.
5. I don’t see the class I want for my child. Can they join the adult class or take a private?
All youth can take adult classes at 16. Privates are always beneficial, especially if a student wants something specific like a german wheel or tightrope. Speak to your instructor regarding private lesson scheduling.
6. Will parents have an opportunity to consult with their child’s coach about circus goals?
We will always be available to mentor and guide students, that is our job. As students grow their circus interests often become more specific and training plans will become more tailored. Their coaches are involved every step of the way.
7. How can I see what my child has learned?
We have our yearly Youth Spring Showcase, which students can participate in starting in Level 3 (L3). The last week of all lower level youth classes is parent demonstration week. You can visit the classroom and see their mini show!
8. Are there payment plans for 8-week sessions?
Yes, Circus Center offers payment plans. Speak to our front desk team if you’d like to set this up!
9. is there financial assistance available?
Yes. Those who qualify may receive up to a 50% discount. Parents or guardians can fill out an application on our website and show proof of income.
10. What is SFYC?
San Fransisco Youth Circus is Circus Center’s youth performance troupe students can audition for. SFYC performs in the yearly Youth Spring Showcase and will have opportunities to work with various choreographers, local circus companies, and more.Circus Center 2025
11. Is there a primary coach of SFYC?
SFYC is a performance troupe that rehearses as a company for performances in house and outside. It is under the supervision of the Youth Director and the troupe will learn from guest choreographers and creators each season!
The SFYC audition based format allows students to commit as much or as little time to performance as they go on their circus journey.
Ex: Student A wants to perform in SFYC this year and is accepted. They had a great time, but decided to add another speciality for next year, as well as piano lessons outside of CC. They don’t have time to perform the coming season. They can skip it and opt in next season.
Didn’t see your question answered? Email our Youth Director, Rachael Servello, at rachael@circuscenter.org